In case you still don't have an answer to the one question everyone's been leaning on for small-talk this week, we've compiled a roundup of Oklahoma City's biggest Independence Day celebrations.
At the very least, we can all be happy we don't eat spotted dick or wear weird wigs in court! Here's your Fourth of July weekend lineup...
- Who: Oklahoma City Philharmonic
- What: Free patriotic concert followed by fireworks
- When: Friday, July 3 at 8:30 p.m.
- Where: Scissortail Park
- Important notes: Bring blankets, lawn chairs and the whole family.
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- Who: Bricktown District + Oklahoma City Comets
- What: Free festivities, live music + fireworks on the Bricktown Canal
- When: Saturday, July 4... Oklahoma Opry concert at 7 p.m., fireworks after the Comets game
- Where: The heart of Bricktown, Oklahoma Ave. & Wanda Jackson Way. Pro tip: Avoid Flaming Lips Alley – Wayne Coyne has been spotted shitting on former bandmates.
- Important notes: Expect big downtown crowds, limited parking and lots of pre/postgame Bricktown foot traffic. Just Uber already.
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- Who: LibertyFest Edmond
- What: Edmond’s free, long-running Fourth of July festival, including parade, concerts, community events and fireworks.
- When: Events run through July 4; fireworks are July 4 at 9:30 p.m.
- Where: Various Edmond locations; fireworks at the University of Central Oklahoma
- Important notes: One of the metro’s biggest Independence Day celebrations. Parking is available in campus lots and countless massage parlors.
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OKANA’s Star Spangled Beach Bash
- Who: OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark
- What: Independence Day beach bash with DJ, games, hot dog eating contest, foam party and fireworks.
- When: Saturday, July 4 from noon to 10 p.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
- Where: OKANA Resort
- Important notes: Not free, but hopefully the holiday hullabaloo and hot dogs are worth the price of admission.
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Norman Fourth Fest 250 Celebration
- Who: Norman Parks & Recreation
- What: Food trucks, yard games, contests, vendors, local breweries, live music by Cody Canada, Tyler Halverson and Logan Mac, plus one of the state’s biggest fireworks shows
- When: Saturday, July 4 at 5 p.m.; fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
- Where: Reaves Park, 2501 Jenkins Ave., Norman
- Important notes: Bring lawn chairs or blankets and arrive early for food, casual capitalism and a good viewing spot. Free.
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Rooftops with a View
- Who: For those who prefer cocktails over crowded lawns, Christine Eddington sleuthed out these insider spots for Visit OKC.
- What: Downtown rooftop and skyline-view destinations
- Where: Vast, O Bar and Social Capital
- Important notes:
- Vast: Fine dining at the top of Devon Tower with panoramic downtown views. Call ASAP to see if you can still get a fireworks-view table.
- O Bar: Rooftop bar at the Ambassador Hotel with cocktails, bites and wraparound outdoor views. O Bar is my #1 rooftop pick, with skyline/fireworks views from pretty much anywhere – indoors or out.
- Social Capital: West side of Scissortail Park, making it a strong pick for Red, White & BOOM views on Friday, with beer, cocktails and food. It will be crazy busy, but maybe you'll get lucky.
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Enjoy your long holiday weekend, and we'll see you back next week when everyone is somewhat sober and done blowing shit up.
